Perimeter

While Perimeter's gameplay doesn't always work perfectly, it's refreshing to play a strategy title that stands out from the crowd both in its concept and its graphics. If you're fed up with cookie-cutter RTS games, give it a try.

And even though you might have that sense of familiarity while playing the game, almost every aspect seems original, both in its presentation and its implementation.

I enjoyed all the unique aspects of terraforming, unit transformation, and using the Perimeter field, but for some this may just be too much complexity in an RTS.

Most interesting when you're diddling with the terrain, but it gets old fast when the missiles start flying. Not the breakthrough it could've been, it'll appeal only to experimental-RTS fans. [July 2004, p.62]

The perimeter shield, one of main selling points of the game, causes a severe power imbalance which is not helped by the fact that opponents have identical unit types.

A solid sci-fi themed RTS with a few really great ideas, but it lacks the extra layer of refinement that would allow it to join the upper tier. [July 2004, p.75]

If you’re new to strategy gaming you probably don’t want to use Perimeter as an introduction to the genre. The interface and AI issues may leave you bewildered and overwhelmed.

The ability to completely control the terrain may not appeal to everyone, but you have to admit it’s a great idea. Together with the nanomorphing, Perimeter has enough innovation to turn heads and sell copies.

Easily the best in-planet RTS title I have played since "Starcraft", and it definitely gives me hope for the future of the RTS genre as a whole.

It is, however, an ambitious, pioneering effort that has plenty to offer the dedicated real-time strategy player. If you appreciate its ultra hi-tech scenario, you'll find plenty of enjoyment here.

Perimeter certainly has its share of problems, from a bizarro-world storyline and ho-hum multiplayer support to lackluster artificial intelligence. But playing the game is just so much fun that it's almost impossible not to recommend.

A good example that not all of the best game ideas have been taken. Too often developers don't want to take a chance with a new concept and instead just rehash a proven, popular trend.

The developers get credit for trying something new, but the slow gameplay, some dull missions, nonsensical story, and annoying micromanagement make Perimeter unenjoyable. [Sept 2004, p.78]

If the premise appeals to you, I'd recommend giving it a try, but if the weird technology and heavy emphasis on base building doesn't appeal to you, you'd probably do well to listen to your instincts.

Perimeter blows most traditional RTS games out of the water. There are so many unexpected options for attack, more ways to defend, more ideas to experiment with than you'd think possible. It's an enormous, gloopy toolkit of war. And we love it. [PC Gamer UK]

Perimeter hasn't exactly revolutionized the genre, but it probably threaded some new ground for the countless RTS games to come.

The potential is there for something much greater. The magic just doesn't quite happen. [Oct 2004, p.86]

Although it’s not a fundamental revolution of the genre, Perimeter has managed to bring a breath of fresh air in an already over-crowded RTS genre.

I think this is a lateral development for the genre. I hail the ambition, I commend the experimentation and I recognise the potential. However, I wish it still didn't sport some of the genre’s silly little annoyances and the whole thing is a little too unbalanced in its execution.

Whatever else is said about Perimeter, there are a lot of very good, very different ideas coming together here.

The game is innovative and daring and that goes a helluva long way.

The one area that KD Lab didn’t skimp on is the visuals. The game simply looks fantastic with incredibly detailed units and environments.

I'll admit it took a little getting into this game, after about 5 or 6 missions it managed to pull be in and have me hankering for more. The gameplay is addictive thanks to the mix of strategy elements.

The storyline is very difficult to understand and just won’t make sense to newcomers at first, the gameplay is hard to stomach until players start to comprehend all the little “undocumented features” that the game’s brief tutorial utterly and completely fails to explain, the mission objectives get repetitive, frustrating, and even boring as the campaign moves on, and the game engine definitely demands a kick-ass system to ensure an experience that is at least somewhat smooth.

One of the most frustrating elements of the game is the sense of helplessness in controlling and customizing units and squads, and setting up offensive tactical maneuvers. In the end however, the amalgamation of storyline and gameplay is successfully delivered as a truly unique experience in Perimeter.

A general lack of polish holds Perimeter back from being a real contender for top dog in the RTS genre. [July 2004, p.121]

Even though some of the missions are on the lackluster side, the game as a whole is really fun to play.

There are unique concepts in the game that hardcore gamers should enjoy tweaking. Though the routine campaign missions, lack of multiplayer audience, and un-novice friendly interface might have some players looking elsewhere.

It offers a challenge to the experienced gamer that is second to none, and a level of innovation that, while undeserving of its boastful slogan "Real Time Strategy Reborn", could certainly reinvigorate a genre where something truly new and unique is so very hard to come by.

A large number of possibilities awaits the ambitious tactician. From tunnelling assaults to flying barrage defences, Perimeter relies on the imagination of players to become genuinely interesting. [Aug 2004, p.105]

Perimeter is capital-‘huh?’ weird from start to finish, in a brilliant way. The trouble is it’s also hard, with the single-player campaign often being incredibly frustrating.

It has a great balance and will draw you in with its depth thanks to some innovation, and is fun, even if it’s fun in a serious way.

Perimeter sets itself apart by not relying on what has come before, but by not making changes for the sake of change, it’s also engaging and fun to play.

A captivating strategy game with oodles of character.

Music in the game is tense sounding but has a generic feel to it.

If you can get past the learning curve of the game, it's a very new and fun experience that any strategy fan would enjoy.

Is it complicated? Yes of course. Is it too much for a generation of strategists brought up on the shallow nature of "Command and Conquer" to handle? Most definitely. But, is it still one of the most innovative and important strategy titles of recent times? Of that there’s no doubt.